Thursday, 18 September 2014

I am very pleased with the way this lace curtain has turned out which I made for the ensuite bathroom. It's my own pattern and made in linen purchased from LinenSpirit on Etsy

Here's a close-up of the lace. It's my own design but very easy once you get going on it. I'm going to write up the pattern and put it up as a free download on my Ravelry projects list when I get round to it.

The lace curtain is held up by using a tension rod which I purchased from an an Amazon shop called speedy. They're really easy to fit, just push and pull them to the length you require. They're only really suitable for very lightweight net curtains (or handmade lace!) This photo also shows a close-up of the heading which I also designed myself.

I really like the shadows that are cast onto the curtain when the weather is sunny outside. It's another one of those small things that can make you happy.

Here's an overall shot without the chair in the way which also shows the little fishes that I have swiming by on the wall, more little things that make me happy!

I've been doing more crochet recently than knitting which is unusual for me. I've just purchased some more yarn and am currently working on some cushions for my lounge.

I have a really colourful small blanket which I finished recently to be used as a chair throw, I've still got to block that so pictures will follow when it's done.

Monday, 8 September 2014

I noticed how nice the blue flowers of borage looked against the colour of the new flight of garden steps that Geoff is building and it made me smile (and want to take a picture!)

Here's a close up showing the true prettiness of these flowers ... the bees really love them and they look so pretty on a plate of salad or floating in a glass of Pimms. So glad summertime has returned a little to England. Lets hope we squeeze a bit more warm weather out this season!

Thursday, 4 September 2014

These are the first outdoor tomatoes I have grown in the garden of our not-so-new house. I can't believe it's been over eighteen months since we moved in. I don't have a greenhouse yet, that has been one of the projects keeping us very busy over the summer. Got several things half way through. The greenhouse base is built, got to put up the fence, make a low retaining wall at the back and actually buy and put up a greenhouse.

The hallway has had a new entrance door and screen. Inside, the hallway has been drylined and matchboarded to cure some rising damp. Here is the wonderful Martin laying the new oak flooring. Since this photograph, it's been half decorated with a little joinery for Martin to finish off when we get round to getting all the materials for it.

Geoff's study, soon to be the dining room has been completely dry lined (including the ceiling!) and replastered. I've done two coats of plain white emulsion on the walls (to seal them) and 3 on the ceiling. So the ceiling is finished but got to choose a colour scheme for the walls and the room in general now. Jobs to do: refit radiator, fix skirting board and windowboard, fireplace surround to be fitted. Here is the "before" shot.

The main bathroom has had a load of boxing in done but one of the pipes has developed a slow leak and is seeping out underneath so some of the boxing in has to be removed for the plumbing to be fixed before I can decorate in there.

Kitchen is virutally done though, still a few soft furnishing touches and a doubled glazed window pane which has gone all cloudy to be replaced but the curtains were finished a couple of months ago

New garden steps are half built, slowly but surely, step by step our stairway to heaven is taking shape ....

However, here's one thing that we have finished today, two chicken and tomato sandwiches (complete with the obligatory salad cream!)

I've been using Facebook far too much, I do hope my blog will forgive me for neglecting it to a shameful degree. It's not you, it's me. I promise I will treat you better in the future my lovely, beautiful blog, do you still love me?!

On-line me in a nutshell

I design and make jewellery using silver and lampwork beads as well as gemstones and swarovski crystals. I specialise in recycling glass bottles into beads and then into jewellery. I sell my work on my website, my My Etsy shop and until recently every Saturday for 9 years on the All Saints Art & Craft market, Cambridge. I sell my lampwork beads on their own separate Etsy shop.